Kyushu: castles, volcanoes and hot-spring towns

Day by day

1. Day 1Arrive in Fukuoka; Ohori Park and an evening at the yatai food stalls with a guide.
2. Day 2Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, then shinkansen to Kumamoto (about 35 minutes).
3. Day 3Kumamoto Castle, whose main keep has reopened after the 2016 earthquake (work on the walls continues), and Suizen-ji garden.
4. Day 4By car to Aso: the caldera grasslands and the crater viewpoint when volcanic activity allows; night in a ryokan at Kurokawa Onsen.
5. Day 5Kurokawa's riverside baths, then by car to Yufuin (about 90 minutes) and Lake Kinrin.
6. Day 6Yufuin at leisure, in a high-end ryokan with a private hot-spring bath.
7. Day 7Beppu's 'hells' hot springs, then the limited express back to Fukuoka (about two hours).
8. Day 8Fukuoka airport, a few minutes from the city.

These are suggested itineraries showing how a journey can be shaped, not trips taken by specific clients. Prices and availability depend on your dates and choices.